The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-24
THE TEXAS OUrRAGEs.
Ex-Governor Ireland Takes the Stand In Be-
half of the Democracy.

half Of the Democracy.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 23--William Cause and
Robert Wright (whitel, Democratic clerks at Fle-
wellyns's polling place last November, were ex
amined by the Texas investigating committee to-
day. They described the shooting OF Devices
Bolton. They did not see any mask on the face
of the man who was killed, or did they see the
man who fred the shot
]. A. Vernon (white), justice of the peace,
eected on both tickets, was sworn. He held an
inquest upon the body Of Devices Bolton He
declared that the man was not masked or dis
guised In any way when the inquest was held
The findings of the jury at the inquest over Boil
toms body. declaring that Bolton came to his
death at the hands of Polk Hill; that the eight
negroes arrested were accessories to the murder,
and that it was committed under advice from Ed
Lockett twhlteh were put in evidence. The wit
ness had unsuccessfully attempted to 1nc out
who raided the ballot boxes. There was no re-
ward offered for the perpetrators
Benjamin Y. Aubrey, white farmer, and pre-
siding judge at the Graball polling place, testi-
fed that there was no intimidation at the polls,
but that about IL o'clock P. NJ. the ballot-box
was raided by masked men while the vote was
being counted. AS far as the count had pro.
crossed, Judge Kirk was eleven votes ahead of
his Republican competitor The witness at
tempted to prevent the capture of the ballot-box,
but pistols were placed against his face ond he
gave the box up.
Ex-Governor John Ireland, of Texas. the next
witness, testified that there was q large negro
element in Washington county, and that since
the passage of the reconstruction laws there has
been more or less disturbance in the county.
The county revenues had been wasted and stolen
until the last two or three years. The methods
resorted to by those in authority the witness
said. finally became SO revolving to the better
portion of the Republican party that
peoples party was formed He
knew through the newspapers aud current
rumor OF the raiding of one or two ballot boxes.
the killing of Bolton and the lynchine of the
three negroes, but knew nothing personally of
sDeclhc local acts OF violence. The witness de.
ciared that the charge in the memorial to the
Senate, that he, as chief executive, had refused
TO protect the memoralsts, was untrue. He
had never been asked or requested to protect
them The negroes of Texas, he said, were of a
ooclle, confiding nature, and perfectly quiet
when left to themselves They were easilv ex-
cited however. when harangued By those whom
they looked upon as their leaders It was unsafe
for negro in the negro districts to openly
or vote the Democratic ticket. The negroes
were not interferred with the Democrats. ana
were allowed to vote as they pleased and do as
1ney pleased. SO long as they let society alone
Inc purpose Of the white leaders of the negroes
was generally to create a political following and
70 play the role Of political martyrs SO as to
cure Office or recognition. They told the net
groes that Cleveland's administration was se
sponslole for the earthquakes. the drought. aud
inc tact that cotton brought but cents Dor